Nippon Bento & Catering

A co-worker is always willing to pick up lunch for us … This time it was from Nippon Bento & Catering on Waiakamilo Road, near Hart Street. Their menu is vast, with 38 bentos, starting at $7.75, and 4 donburi bowls for $8.75. Two of us ordered #33, the Deluxe Bento with Korean Chicken, Meat Jun, and Stir-fried vegetables. It came with rice, topped with Furikake, two pieces of takuwan, edamame, long rice, and a small container of sauce for the meat jun. All for $15.75, plus tax. Brown rice is an option for $0.50 more. The bento is hearty, and I couldn’t finish all of the rice. My issue with my bento was that the Korean chicken was soggy; I expect Korean chicken to be nice and crispy. It could be due to the time it was sitting in the bento with the cover on as we’ve experienced similar issues with fried food in plastic containers … The heat of the food creates “steam”, which softens anything crispy. To me, my Deluxe Bento for $15.75 is a valid alternative to the Z**P** from you know where that costs between $16.15 and $18.65, depending on protein options. Recommended!

Today I got to try their bento special of $9 for 2 regular bentos, which I chose roast pork charsiu for one bento & B.B.Q. Chicken on Sticks for the other bento and they were great. The seasoning was so good that I did not need any other seasoning. Also, the worker was very friendly. This place is a real gem for the cheap price and and also for the great taste.

Parking can be tricky. There's only a few spots around the corner. The floor was very sticky when stepped on. Workers there were very friendly and helpful. I got the salmon and sweet garlic chicken bento I assume? You do get a small container of vegetable with it so that was a plus. Fish was fine. Chicken was too sweet for my taste. Majority portion of the rice tasted very hard and old. I couldn't eat it.